“Extensive Search Operation for Missing Crewmembers after Cargo Ship Capsizes in Malacca Strait”

The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) is currently searching for nine crewmembers who went missing after a small cargo ship overturned near the southern end of the bustling Malacca Strait. The ship, called the Tung Sung, was reported to be untraceable by its operator, leading the MMEA to dispatch a patrol boat to begin the search. The vessel, which is registered in Malaysia and measures approximately 184 feet, was carrying nine crewmembers from Malaysia, Myanmar, and Indonesia, ranging in age between 20 and 52.

According to reports, the last signal from the ship’s Automatic Identification System (AIS) showed it departing from the island of Borneo near the city of Kuching in Malaysia. Its intended destination was Tanjung, located on the western side of Malaysia. However, midday reports revealed that the vessel had capsized, prompting the MMEA to deploy a fast response boat and air assets from the Royal Malaysian Police Aire Movement Team. They located the Tung Sung around four nautical miles northwest of Burung Island, near the southern tip of Malaysia and west of Singapore.

Despite the efforts of the search teams, no sign of the missing crewmembers had been found as of Thursday night. Accordingly, the search was suspended overnight but was set to resume on Friday morning. The search area has been expanded to cover more than 210 square nautical miles in the hopes of locating the crewmembers and ensuring their safety.

In summary, the MMEA is conducting an extensive search operation after a cargo ship carrying nine crewmembers capsized near the southern end of the Malacca Strait. The vessel, named the Tung Sung, was registered in Malaysia and had departed from Borneo towards Tanjung before it overturned. Despite the search efforts, no trace of the crewmembers has been found yet, prompting the expansion of the search area. The MMEA has also sought assistance from neighboring countries in their search and rescue efforts.

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